They were the quietest bunch of guys I'd ever seen.
I couldn't tell if they'd been trained that
way or if they just had nothing to say.
Captain Alonzo Davis, officer in charge.
Known to his men as smokey. A mustang, commissioned from the ranks.
Consistently demonstrated excellence, leadership under fire.
Twice decorated, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, eleven years in the corps.
First sergeant Steve Corey, second in command.
I knew him only by reputation. The finest fighting man in our theater.
Nine campaigns in the last 17 months.
Corporal Alvin Ross, proven excellence with M-1 at any distance.
Specialty, accuracy at long range, sniping.
PFC Henry Reynolds, demolitions expert.
Combat experience, one year, 10 months. Age, 19 years, one month.
Platoon sergeant William Maccone, garrote.
A garrote is a fine wire with a handle on each end.
Usage confined exclusively to the human throat.
Gunnery sergeant Ernest Wartell, career marine.
Specialty, automatic weapons. Proven excellence, Thompson sub-machine gun.
Corporal Stanley Parrish, knife expert. Close in combat.
Stan the man, 130 pounds after dinner.
PFC George George. Specialty, night vision.
The ability to see in the absence of light.
By medical statistics, those eyes will happen once every 200,000 births.
Private first class, James Grenier. Aircrewman radio specialist.
Combat experience, none.
Length of service, US marine corps, 6 months.
Reason for selection to highly specialized reconnaissance mission...
dire abdominal attack suffered by selected radio man accompanied by high fever.
No time for proper replacement. Location at time of selection, radio panel.
Check the waterproofing on that radio private, may run a little rough going in.
No sweat sarge I used to deliver wedding cakes.
I'll take about 30 seconds head start, we'll
guide on the right edge of the village.
Like the man said, silence is golden.
I'm sorry sergeant, just not used to walking.
Well, you'd better get used to it fly boy...
because anything happens to you or this
radio, we turn this party around and go home.
May I ask the nature of this mission sergeant?
No, you may not.
I'm captain Davis, Sergeant Corey and you?
Right.
Smoke.
Don't you noted? They got the whole island in Mindanao to stuff their faces...
like to pick them in the middle of our path.
You want to try and go around them?
I can't, it's a reinforcement battalion somewhere in this vicinity.
They're probably part of it.
We jump them, wake up the whole neighborhood.
Let's do it.
Shooting gallery style.
Four rifles, one man missing.
Captain Davis is dead.
Want move out right away. Ross, Reynolds, go get his body.
Parrish, George, bury him up there.
Amado.
Try to make this mess look like was done by guerillas, use your knife.
- Ernie. - Yeah.
I want to get into heavy growth.
Have George take point, Amado with him, you can bring up the rear.
- Right. - Grenier.
Remain in the middle at all times...
giving maximum protection to that radio, got that clear?
Damn.
Let's move out.
They must've felt something, but nobody reacted.
It was like in football when a guy gets hurt
and none of his teammates pays any attention.
The point seemed to be to create the impression that we didn't exist.
To leave things as we found them whenever possible.
Of course, there are times in life when you have to improvise.
Too good to be true.
I can't figure it out, feel like we're in a stadium with a bunch of jap spectators.
You think the Airedale is going to cut it?
Got two days, then the name of the game is going to be hurry,
I don't know, he's not used to this kind of life.
- What you find out about him? - Oh, you know the stories these days.
He thought blue would go better with his eyes than khaki.
So now he's a marine, five years ago, would've booted him out on his butt.
- Today is you and me. - You guys got any powder?
I mean my feet are about to go up with my hands.
I guess I just ain't used to this jazz.
Would you like scented or plain?
Hey Stub, you got any left lavender?
Gee, I forget whether we got lavender or sweet pea.
That's no problem.
Hey, would you like us to draw you a nice hot tub?
- Alvin? - Oh, you guys are putting me on.
None of you guys ever seen a bathtub.
You stand out in the rain like a bunch of horses.
Knock it off.
Now look gentlemen, this is the first...
and last friendly little squabble we're going to have amongst each other.
And I do not jest.
Is anyone want to question my sincerity?
Bury your cans.
Tank sarge, just over the right.
- Infantry support? - It's hard to say, I didn't see any.
Right, we'll bypass them.
Tell them to close up, keep together and no conversation.
Reynolds.
It's George.
Damn noise is going to bring every jap on the island down on us.
Get our people, let's get the hell out of here.
Maccone, Parrish, get Reynolds.
Come on, move.
Come on.
Hold it.
It's 11 hour, run your radio check.
Put him here.
Alright men, start digging here.
Diamond blue, diamond blue, this is nugget. Do you read me? Over.
Diamond blue, this is nugget. I read you five by five, let's keep it that way. Out.
It's Ok.
Come back here marine.
I'm going to tell you this just once.
This radio is part of you, you don't put it down ever.
You don't eat, you don't sleep, you don't breathe without it. You read me private?
I don't want to see it again without you wrapped around it.
Sergeant Corey, if this radio is more
important to this mission than you or me...
don't you think you should tell me what the
hell I'm supposed to accomplish with it?
I'll tell you when the time comes.
But don't you think the time is come, I mean,
how many more men are we supposed to lose?
We're not supposed to lose any men private.
But we're also not supposed to bump into a tank or...
a bunch of japs on their way to a Turkish bath.
We did Ok, that's our tough luck.
And your tough luck happens to be that you're along.
Why don't you just try to adjust to that, eh?
Stay away from things that you've never done, like thinking.
Sergeant, I've had enough of that guff.
I'm not in the infantry, but I'm getting sick...
and tired of having my nose rubbed in it, you know?
Look, all I want to know is what I'm doing here, that's all.
- Without all the silent smirks. - Lower your voice Grenier.
Come on marine, help over here with the digging.
I wouldn't ask him too many questions, he's got a lot on his mind.
Yeah sergeant, well, somebody better start...
telling me something around here, because I can get very nasty.
We're here looking for an intelligence contact.
Seems though the japs have got a hold of some big news.
Now, this contact knows just how much they know.
But he's been cut off, his radio is out of
business, so we got to get to him ourselves.
- And radio back the information. - Give that boy a cigar.
Where do we look?
He's in a tea-house in Pangassan. It's a jap rest camp, that's all we know.
- Pangassan? - Pangassan.
Who goes in to see him? Amado.
Oh, what if he isn't there?
Then we'll have failed our mission, won't we?
Does anybody know what the information is about?
The Japanese are expecting MacArthur's return to the Philippines.
They may know when and where.
If they do we got exactly 38 hours to get your voice on that box...
with the right information.
- Why 38 hours? - That's when the invasion fleet sails.
Hey, what's this guy's name, our radio contact?
Miyazaki.
- Miyazaki? - Miyazaki.
Hey, how we getting out of here?
I mean, they are going to pick us up some place, aren't they?
Sure, they're going to send a limousine to Pangassan.
Chauffeur is probably there now.
He kind of grows on you, don't he?
Amado.
Go up and check that Ridge, then take us up.
Parrish.
Take point.
Belatic.
- What is it? - Trap used by Moros.
Let him catch enemy, kill him dead.
- Who's their enemies? - Anyone.
Strip him of his supplies and bury him.
Hey sergeant, you want some gum?
- Thanks. - My mouth gets like a tractor.
- You don't say a hell of a lot, do you? - Want me to recite you a poem?
Look sarge, I'm sorry about this afternoon.
I was out of line but it won't happen again.
I'm just not trained for this sort of work but I'll make it.
You mind if I ask you a personal question?
Do you enjoy this?
I mean, you seem to get tougher each time we lose a guy.
- You a psychologist? - Right-o.
Sergeant Wartell, can I ask you something?
You're the only guy around here that'll talk to me.
What's sergeant Corey got against me anyway?
Just because I'm not a gravel cruncher like you guys?
Hasn't he ever met a flyer before?
It matters more to it than that, it's long story.
Is just that we ain't used to working with amateurs.
I used to know a guy like that once.
He was the floor walker in a department store I used to work in men's shoes.
I guess he figured I had to be some sort of a
nitwit, because I was a stock boy just hired.
Did you ever stop to think it might be you?
No. See, he was king around there. I mean, that's where he wanted to be.
The carnation, the whole bit.
And this is where sergeant Corey wants to be.
And he figures nobody belongs here but him.
When did you get out of the stockroom Grenier?
- In April, that's when I was called. - April.
In April, he was in the Marianas, sneak and peek recon.
That's where he got the silver star.
Or was that in March?
No, march was Eniwetok. Before that, it was Tarawa.
Tarawa, that's where he got hit took a load of shrapnel.
Knocked him out of action for three months.
Couldn't find an aid man that lay even money he'd last 24 hours.
Eight weeks later, he was told to lay off calisthenics or rip open his incisions.
You see, he wants very much to be here private Grenier.
And it's a damn lucky thing for you.
Look sergeant, I'm sorry I mouthed off this morning. I...
Forget about being sorry and just take care of that radio of yours.
Maybe your big mouth will come in handy after all.
They were a couple of real friendly guys.
I was beginning to feel like hugging the first jap I saw.
Who is he?
Japanese soldier, he was caught by Moros but he escaped.
He want to be taken prisoner.
Prisoner?
What the hell are we going to do with a prisoner?
Maccone.
Sit him up against the tree trunk.
Don't take your eyes off him, you get sleepy, you wake up Ross.
I'll decide what to do with him by morning.
In case.
- I'd hate to be in Corey's shoes. - Japs, either.
Japs wear sandals.
He died.
They all went by like he was part of the landscape.
Nobody looked to see if there was one extra bullet hole.
I was curious, but somehow I preferred to remain ignorant.
Maccone, supposing we do find this village
and the tea-house, how we going to get in?
Well, we just going walk right in.
See, we going to rent us some jap uniforms,
then we going all get our eyes fixed see.
We got this plastic surgeon coming over here
later on today and he's just going to...
fix our eyes so that they slant, see? So we can just walk right on in the door.
Cover.
- But Amado... - Cover.
No firing.
They got him, cold.
Why the hell didn't we shoot?
Because we're not here.
As far as they know, he's the last man of the guerilla's party.
Ok, now move out.
Ernie...
Pangassan should be just over that hill.
- I'm going to go in. - What if you don't come out?
Then you get yourself a field promotion.
Eight bucks more a month, lots of responsibility.
That's it.
You cover me only when I'm coming out, but
don't open up unless you absolutely have to.
- Right. - Grenier...
Stay out of any action. Stick with that radio, you understand?
Right sergeant.
Steve, bring me a kimono.
Hey Ross, watch the back door.
Hey Maccone...
What the hell do they do in a tea-house?
Filipino? Are you a Filipino?
Do you speak English?
A little.
Miyazaki, Miyazaki.
- Miyazaki? - Get him.
Please get Miyazaki, bring him here.
Yes sir.
God.
Who are you?
Now look ladies, I ain't got a lot of time.
I'm looking for a guy named Miyazaki and I'm not above slitting...
both your lovely throats to find him, where is he?
I am Miyazaki.
Don't fool with me lady.
- You better come with... - Where?
Will you please put that down?
- Where? - To my room.
Suppose I refuse to believe you are my contact?
Midori.
Alright, let's have the information.
I expected a Filipino, if you're found here...
- I'll be dead. - That won't help me.
He desires me, I believe that's the phrase.
- Have you a radio? - Across the river.
- I have to go. - Why? Is it in code?
No, but it's complicated.
Where's your pickup point?
- Why you want to know that for? - Because I'm going with you.
Is that right? Then what?
Then home, long beach, California.
Sergeant, sergeant.
There's a jap patrol coming up the trail about 200 yards away.
- There's close to 20 of them. - Yeah? Grenier, you take cover.
If Corey comes back before we do, you stick with him.
Yeah sarge, but what...
No buts about it, you stick out of this. You understand? Those are orders.
Come on with me, let's go.
- They're heading right for that bridge. - And right smack into guess who.
Let's spread out, and don't start firing till I do.
- I count three of us. - But they don't know that.
- Who the hell is that? - Miyazaki.
She's from Long Beach.
- Got to clear out of here and fast. - Wait.
I'm not going anywhere with you.
Maccone?
Ross too, over there.
- Where's your radio? - Shot off.
- Can it be fixed? - No, it's smashed to pieces.
Go get Maccone's ammo, we're going to need it.
No radio?
Oh, I hope you folks have enjoyed the game
as much as we've enjoyed bringing it to you.
- Let them take you Ernie. - Look, I don't want any more medals.
Take it easy on him.
Six months ago he was stacking shoe-boxes.
Morphine.
Use it.
Ernie...
Which way is your soldiers?
Pretty tough pal, which way is yours?
If you're not true to us, we shoot you.
Oh, don't do that, getting shot gives me a headache.
How many men, your soldiers?
Including the European theater, I'd say about six million.
If you're not true, we shoot you Joe.
Oh, you want the truth?
Yeah, well, the truth is I don't feel so good, come closer, will you?
The truth is that I'm hungry, you see.
And guess what I got to eat for everybody.
Baked potatoes, yeah.
Wait a minute fellas, come back. You can eat these with the jackets on.
The Japanese photographed this, Hollandia.
They know the invasion fleet will strike from this side, bypassing Mindanao.
They are prepared for it to pass right through here.
- Have they assumed right? - On the button.
They've laid mines all through the area.
A minefield means nothing, they'll sweep that channel before Mac goes in.
- Minesweeper action won't clear this. - Why not?
They're bottom mines anchored to weights.
They can be released in waves by a remote radio control device.
They float to the surface and detonate.
Any ships passing over when that field floats up will be wiped out.
What triggers it?
A submarine on lookout duty, specially equipped to release the mines.
Is there any chance we can head off the fleet if we get back to our pickup point?
They sail tonight. Another 48 hours MacArthur will be there.
We'll never make it back there in time.
Smack into an ambush.
Isn't there any other way of triggering that minefield besides a submarine?
There's an alternative device if anything should go wrong with the submarine.
It's at Bucan Bay, the control center.
That's it then, we could set it off before the fleet passes over.
Sergeant, that's impossible.
You'd never get in and you couldn't work the device anyway.
Ok, fine.
Fine. Yeah, maybe you're right, maybe I can't.
Maybe we going to get ourselves caught. Maybe we going to get blown to hell.
Or maybe we going to get bitten by
rattlesnakes. Oh, what do you suggest lady?
How far is it?
From here, about a day and a half, with luck.
You heard of the term, piggy bank?
- Is that an offer or a question? - Either way.
- Don't you ever complain sergeant? - Sure.
I haven't heard you say a word yet.
I'm in charge, I can't.
- What did you do before the war? - Complained.
Of what?
Everything.
The depression, Hitler...
downtown Cincinnati, my kid brothers.
You want to swap life stories?
How many kid brothers?
Two.
Billy was killed in north Africa, Don just made the marine corps.
- When did you make the marine corps? - December 8, 1941 at 9 A.M.
What were you doing when the war started?
Making love...
to a 40-year old divorcee who made a career out of her figure.
I meant, where were you.
Fountain Plaza hotel.
Beach boy, towel dispenser, head gigolo all rolled into one.
Yeah, was a great life. Too bad there had to be a war.
Yes, isn't it?
My folks would still be in their home in long beach...
instead of the internment camp out by the Santa Anita racetrack.
I suppose it's for our own protection.
Maybe they're afraid we'll poison your gardens.
How did you? How you get in this line of work?
I was a civil service employee in long beach.
I'd had a good record.
- So you volunteered? - So I volunteered.
I never thought it would take me to what it took me to.
But then the same must be true for you.
Not quite, you left something you liked.
You didn't? Divorcees with suntans?
- I meant yourself. - Don't you like yourself sergeant?
I didn't.
I like you.
Hey, I got clean and polluted, which do you want?
Clean, you idiot, nobody gets polluted until 5 o'clock.
Idiot.
That was the first nice word he'd ever said to me.
- You are Americans? - Yeah.
What about her? She is not an American.
Yes, American born.
- American soldiers? - Marines.
Working for general MacArthur?
Well, yeah. Sort of.
Oh. Welcome, American soldiers, welcome.
Friends, General MacArthur has returned.
Wait, Japanese, many soldiers. Here soon, look for Americans. Come
Max, we got to try to get out of here, how do we get to Bucan Bay?
Go behind.
Pass water...
boat there. Take boat down Bucan Bay.
That's Koyamatsu.
- You know him? - Yes, he's sober now.
A human pig, he torture you first...
I could detain him.
Max could drag me out of here.
Captain Koyamatsu would be happy to see me.
I could tell him you disappeared in the jungles five miles back.
That you'd forced me to go with you.
It could give you a chance.
Can you make him believe you? Hold his attention?
I have always held his attention.
And if I know him, he'll be only too happy to.
Are you going to let her do this?
Do you know what will happen to her?
Now wait a minute, you can't do this.
Forgive me.
It's not you.
Hey, Corey, you stink.
When I say go, we go.
Now.
Sergeant?
I'm sorry.
You were right, as usual.
To release the mines...
we have to transmit a radio beam through a directional antenna.
The only one I see is up there on that tower.
All we got to do is find the right button and push it.
How do we get pass our little friends?
We better stay away from that fence, it's probably electrified.
We got to give them a little crisis.
See those oil drums?
How do we set them off from here?
I could plug a hole in one, but it wouldn't blow them up.
Is that a gas tank back there?
- Yeah. - What about a Molotov cocktail?
Just not wake the driver up.
Walt till he tries to drive away.
Do you have a match?
We could inform the boy scouts.
This is it.
- But it's all in Japanese. - Can you work it?
It'll take a few minutes. Can you give me some time?
Can you do it in three minutes? Because that's about all we're going to get.
- Yeah. - You got it.
Two and a half.
Corey, come on, we did it, we got them all.
Now when it was all over, I felt qualified to begin.
I kept thinking, all he had wanted me to do was send a signal on a radio.
When I finally did, it was to arrange for the pickup of one survivor.
Corey was a guy who made you do things you couldn't do.
I was living proof.
It all seemed sort of crazy.
But who's to say?
My dear friends, I have returned.
I am, once again...
in this land that I have known so long...
and amongst this people that I have loved so well.